Tuesday 28 June 2022 02:12 AM 'Boris, we love you. We miss you': John McEnroe and Sue Barker pay tribute to ... trends now

British and American tennis legends Sue Barker and John McEnroe have been slammed by viewers after sending support to jailed Boris Becker live on-air.

During the BBC's Wimbledon coverage on Monday, seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe said during the commentary: 'Boris, we love you. We miss you, man.'

Barker, who is anchoring the coverage for the final time in her career, added: 'We do indeed, well said.'

Becker, 54, was jailed for two years and six months at London’s Southwark Crown Court on April 29 after being found guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act. 

The German-born player was found guilty of hiding £2.5million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying off debts after he was declared bankrupt in 2017 to allegedly stop sums from being distributed to creditors.

Boris was part of the coverage at Wimbledon with the BBC last year, but now, he is serving a two-and-a-half year prison sentence at Huntercombe prison, near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Earlier this month, BBC viewers have slammed commentator Andrew Castle after he told disgraced tennis star Boris Becker live on air that they were 'looking forward to welcoming you back'.

Former tennis player Castle, 58, made the comment during the BBC's live coverage of the Queen's Clubs Championships on Friday.

He said: 'I’ve had a real moment of missing Boris. I know he’s in prison and I know why. Boris, we look forward to welcoming you on your return.'

Last week, McEnroe also said he was planning on visiting Becker in prison during his time in the UK for the tournament. 

He said: 'Boris is a friend of mine. This is just horrible. I want to see him if I possibly can and if he’s willing to see people.

'I just feel terrible. He’s one of the great players that has ever played the game, and I know it meant a lot to Boris. He’s been going through a lot for a long time.'

Boris's earlier trial heard how he had been legally obliged to disclose all of his assets to help pay off his debts of nearly £50milion.